Before big industry was introduced into [[boone_county|Boone County]], a different kind of production was happening along [[roads|U.S. 25]], where the Industrial Park now stands. ​ [[farming|Highland Stock Farm]], a 550-acre thoroughbred breeding and training facility of the highest order, was once located at the southeast corner of what is now [[roads|Dixie Hwy (US 25)]] and Industrial Road. The owner of [[farming|Highland Stock Farm]], Jerome “Rome” B. Respess, was a [[boone_county|Boone County]] native, born here in 1863. Once a competitive showman of Saddlebreds at the local fairs, Rome’s interest turned to horseracing near the end of the 1800’s. ​

Before big industry was introduced into [[boone_county|Boone County]], a different kind of production was happening along [[roads|U.S. 25]], where the Industrial Park now stands. ​ [[farming|Highland Stock Farm]], a 550-acre thoroughbred breeding and training facility of the highest order, was once located at the southeast corner of what is now [[roads|Dixie Hwy (US 25)]] and Industrial Road. The owner of [[farming|Highland Stock Farm]], Jerome “Rome” B. Respess, was a [[boone_county|Boone County]] native, born here in 1863. Once a competitive showman of Saddlebreds at the local fairs, Rome’s interest turned to horseracing near the end of the 1800’s. ​